Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.
The decision was announced on Thursday in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi.
According to the statement, the governor directed all commissioners and special advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries with immediate effect.
Fubara expressed appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.
The dissolution comes 48 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed renewed reconciliation efforts aimed at resolving the protracted political crisis in the state.
Wike disclosed that President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting with key political actors from Rivers State, including Governor Fubara and his predecessor, in a bid to ease tensions arising from the power struggle in the oil-rich state.
The closed-door meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, was also attended by other Rivers political leaders.
The intervention followed an ongoing impeachment process initiated against Fubara by lawmakers loyal to Wike. The impeachment notice, reportedly the third, has since become the subject of litigation.
Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting projects in Abuja, Wike said the February 9 meeting was convened at the instance of the President.
“I remember this is the second time the President is intervening and believe by the grace of God, this is going to be the last time,” Wike said.
“I have told the assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate to do. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure that this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord,” he added.
Reports indicated that after the meeting at the Villa, Governor Fubara accompanied the FCT Minister to his residence in Guzape, Abuja, a move observers interpreted as a possible sign of easing hostilities.
However, it remains uncertain whether the pro-Wike lawmakers will withdraw the impeachment notice or if the latest round of talks will lead to a lasting resolution of the crisis.
